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Do you own your own tissue samples? 

Created: 07/15/11

Replies: 12

Posted Jul. 15, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert

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Posts: 0

Do you own your own tissue samples? 

On page 201, Skloot talks about John Moore and the patent that had been filed without his consent on his cells called "Mo". How do you feel about the Supreme Court of California ruling that states when tissues are removed from your body, with or without your consent, any claim you might have had to owning them vanishes?


Posted Jul. 16, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
marthad

Join Date: 05/10/11

Posts: 25

RE: Do you own your own tissue samples? 

I believe this is one of those fundamental rights to privacy. I also believe that the majority of people when asked would donate when asked.


Posted Jul. 16, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
lorie

Join Date: 05/19/11

Posts: 24

RE: Do you own your own tissue samples? 

I think it needs to be clearly disclosed if your tissue samples are going to be used for commercial purposes. I think it could create a conflict of interest between the medical professionals and the patient otherwise. I have no problem with the tissues being used for straight research.


Posted Jul. 16, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
marthad

Join Date: 05/10/11

Posts: 25

RE: Do you own your own tissue samples? 

As far as the commercial uses go, I wonder where it falls in the ethical category. Can we make money off our tissue like we can with our blood or eggs or sperm or can we not make money off of the like organs?


Posted Jul. 16, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
dianel

Join Date: 07/16/11

Posts: 15

RE: Do you own your own tissue samples? 

No. I give them freely for research.


Posted Jul. 16, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
jop

Join Date: 07/16/11

Posts: 14

RE: Do you own your own tissue samples? 

In California, once tissue is removed, it no longer belongs to the patient. I'd love to own my tissues and would not consent unless I understood the research for which they had been collected. I agree that this is an invasion of privacy.


Posted Jul. 17, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Dottie S

Join Date: 07/17/11

Posts: 6

RE: Do you own your own tissue samples? 

Yes. I own my tissues. I consent to haven them taken for a medical procedure for my benefit. I have a right to donate them for research which may benefit others as well. But my full knowledge and consent for this donation is essential. Once I knowingly donate them, I no longer own the samples, and am not entitled to any compensation if the research on these samples leads to profitable gain. I donate them to assist medical research and the advancement of health care.

How large pharmaceutical firms are making all this profit and focusing only on financially profitable research rather than improving medicine for all, even if not financially profitable, is an entirely different issue.


Posted Jul. 17, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Daveann

Join Date: 07/17/11

Posts: 6

RE: Do you own your own tissue samples? 

Yes, I do own my tissue samples. When there is a biopsy done, it should be clearly stated that the samples will be used for research. I do want to donate them for research to help others, however, I do want to know about it. Honestly, can say that I will look at consent forms more closely now.


Posted Jul. 18, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
nancyo

Join Date: 07/18/11

Posts: 8

RE: Do you own your own tissue samples? 

I don't own my own tissue samples, and even if I did I could care less about being compensated for their use. Until I read this book, I never even gave a thought to where the samples were going or how they were used.


Posted Jul. 21, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
kathrynk

Join Date: 05/21/11

Posts: 40

RE: Do you own your own tissue samples? 

I have to admit that his is a question that I have never thought about until I read the book. Living in California as I do makes it a moot issue. Now confronted by the issue I am not sure really how I feel. I very much support medical research and for example support the use of stem cells. If asked for permission, I would freely give it as I suffer some serious health issues that only further research will cure. Would I feel I should be compensated -- no. But donating sperm, blood or eggs to me is some how different. But then I ask myself -- OK -- but what if I donate a kidney? It is a thorny ethical issue... Check with me later!! : - )


Posted Jul. 25, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
karlas

Join Date: 10/21/10

Posts: 5

RE: Do you own your own tissue samples? 

No. I had not thought of doing so until this book. I don't think I would want to because of the expense and that they might get used for something other thatn what I would want. Ethics still has a way to go in the medical field. With that said I have a sticker on my driver's license indicating that at my death I am willing to be a organ donor.


Posted Jul. 28, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
terriej

Join Date: 07/28/11

Posts: 422

RE: Do you own your own tissue samples? 

I think I only own the tissue that is in my body before I go to the doctor. Once some is removed in the doctor's office, it is available for other use.


Posted Jul. 31, 2011 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
bettyt

Join Date: 05/12/11

Posts: 228

RE: Do you own your own tissue samples? 

I never really thought about it. I wouldn't mind my tissue samples being used for the benefit of all but do have a problem with them being used for greed. I think I would want to know if they were being used for commercial purposes. There can be a very fine line though between scientific research for the benefit of all and commercialism.


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